| Farmington residents tell Eyewitness News 4 what they think about proposed mandatory fees for owning your pet and riding your bicycle. City councilor Jason Sandel is proposing the fees to help pay for projects the city doesn't have money for. An annual $20 pet license would help pay for a new regional animal shelter, Sandel said. Other New Mexico cities that charge annual pet owner fees include $6 in Albuquerque, $5 in Santa Fe, and $4 in Rio Rancho for pets that are spayed and neutered. "We've got the lives of 4000 animals each year that are being euthanized," Sandel said. "I don't think that we can wait five or ten years." The city cut funding for a proposed $7.5 million animal shelter due to budget problems. Some pet owners like the idea. "I think it would be wonderful," pet owner Judie Raysin said. "I would probably pay twice as much." Other pet owners say the city should come up with other fundraising ideas. "I don't think that we should be fined another $20 just for the privilege of owning our dogs," pet owner Diana Rogge said. |
